Typewriter



June 28, 1938.

File'd Deo. 4, 1936 R. G. BowER TYPEWRITER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYS Patented June 28,- 1938 l PATENT OFFICE TYPEWRITER Raymond G. Bower, Bloomfield Hills, Mich., as-

-signor to Burroughs Adding" Machine Company, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application December 4, 1936, Serial No. 114,153

22 Claims.

tively moved into and away from operative position relative to a platen by power means.

Additional objects are to provide a power-operated feed roll mechanism including a control key conveniently located with respect to the operator,A enabling the operator to easily and quickly render the power means effective to move the feed o rolls both toward and away from the platen; to provide power-transmitting mechanism adapted to automatically disconnect the power means from'the feed roll mechanism upon movement ofV the feed rolls to either its operative or released position with respect to the platen; and to provide simple, inexpensive and eiicient mechanism for carrying out all of the foregoing features, which mechanism may be readily applied to known typewriter constructions.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent as this description progresses, and by reference to the drawings, wherein,-

` Figure 1 is a perspective view of feed roll mechanism embodying this invention, the partsbeing 5 illustrated in the positions that they assume when the feed rolls are in operative paper-holding position with respect tothe platen; and

Fig. 2 is a left-side sectional elevational view of one form of typewriter construction embodying the feed rroll mechanism of Fig. l, the parts of such mechanism being shown in the positions that they assume when the feed rolls are moved to an inactive or released position with respect to the platen.

' General construction y' In the-drawings, only those parts of the typewriter necessary for an understanding of this invention have been illustrated in detail. So far as general structure is concerned, the type- Writer may take any suitable form to which this invention is adaptable.

The typewriter shown in 2 is of a type embodying a traveling paper. carriage C, a caseshiftable platen P and type bars `Il) adapted to be S moved against the platen P to make an impres- (CLAIM-138) sion on the paper throughV the medium' of a ribbon R upon the depression of a type bar key II.

It further embodies front and rear feed rolls I2 and I3 that are urged into engagement with the platen P to hold the paper (not shown) in position thereon, which rolls are movable away from the platen to permit ready adjustment and removal of the paper.

The traveling paper carriage C, which may be operated under the control of suitable escapementmechanism (not shown), is supported by a front roller Ill-and a rear slide shaft I5 (Fig. 2). An inner frame I6, which rotatably supports the platen P, is carried by the carriage C, and this frame I6 is shiftable along with the platen by suitable case-shift mechanism (not shown) from a lower case position to an upper case position, and vice versa (Fig. 2). As will become obvious from the following description, the invention may well be used in connection with other case-shifting arrangements, such, for example, as one in which the type bars I0 are moved up and down relative to the platen for a case-shiftling operation. f y

The feed roll mechanism may take any suitable form, including any desired number and arrangement of feed rolls. The arrangement illustrated includes front and rear feed roll shafts I1 and I 8 (Fig. 1) supporting the feed rolls I2 and I3, respectively, andl having their opposite ends rotatably supported by rocker arms I9. The rocker arms I9 are rotatably supported by arms 20 fixed to a rock shaft 2| having its opposite ends rockably supported by the platen supporting frame I6. The rock shaft 2| is further provided, adjacent its opposite ends, with depending fixed arms 22, the lower ends of which support a crossshaft 23. Any suitable means may be employed for urging the feed rolls toward and into engagement with the platen. The structure shown includes springs 24 (Fig. 2) between the arms 22 and a crossbar 25 carried by the platen frame I6. These springs 24 tend to constantly urge the feed rolls I2, I3, through the shafts 2| and '23, in a counterclockwise direction (as viewed in the drawings) toward and into engagement with the platen P. It will be seen, however, that by rocking the shaft 2I and associated parts in a clockwise direction, the .feed rolls I2, I3 are moved away from the platen P in opposition to'the urge of the springs 24.

This invention provides power means for rocking'the shaft 2I, to, in turn, move the feed rolls I2 and I3 both away from and into engagement with the platen P, thereby facilitating maniputo movement of the same away from the platen.

One form of mechanism for carrying out this feature of my invention will now be described.

Power control means Power may be supplied by any suitable motor means and, preferably, by an electric motor M. The motor M is momentarily connected to the feed roll rock shaft 2| by depressing a key 30 located at the front of the machine conveniently to the operator. through a series of drive connections of such character that continued drive movement of the motor M breaks the driving connection between it and the shaft 2| when such shaft has been moved the desired extent to fully engage the feed rolls with the platen or to fully release them therefrom. The arrangement further includes means by which the drive connections, once they have been moved to either feed roll position, are held in that position until released by the operator.

More particularly, the motor M, which is preferably (but not necessarily) of a continuous rotating type, is provided with a Ashaft 3| (Fig. 1) connected by suitable reducing gears 32, 33 and 34 to a shaft 35 which supports a ratchet wheel 36. The ratchet wheel 36 is operatively connected to the feed roll support mechanism, upon depression of the feed roll key 30, by the following mechanism:

An upright lever 31, having its upper end pivotally carried by a suitable support 38, is mounted approximately midway of the sides of the machine to accommodate, as will be seen from the following description, movement of the carriage C to its full extent in both directions. 'I'he lever 31 is provided with an arm 39 extending forwardly and downwardly from its pivotal support 38 behind the cross-shaft 23. The relation of the arm 39 with respect to the shaft 23 isQsuch that, upon clockwise movement of the lever 31, the arm 39 operatively engages and moves the shaft 23 in a similar direction. The depending part of the arm 39 is also of sufficient length to accommodate movement of the platen (and shaft 23) between upper and lower-case positions without affecting the position of the feed rolls. That is to say, with this arrangement, the position of the feed rolls is not affected by case-shift operations and the feed rolls may be disengaged from and engaged with the platen while the platen is in either its upper or lower-case posiion.

The lower end portion of the lever 31 pivotally supports, at 40, a pawl member 4| having a bifurcate forward portion providing pawl arms 42 and 43 having laterally turned end portions providing lugs 44 and 45 between which the ratchet wheel 36 is received. The lower end of the lever 31, below the pawl pivot 4|), is provided with downwardly opening notches 46 and 41 which are adapted to receive a feed roll positioning detent 48, by which the feed roll mechanism is held in either position with respect to the platen when the motor M is disconnected thererom.

The pawl arms 42 and 43 are so spaced apart that, when the pawl 4| is in neutral position, the lugs 44 and 45 are normally out of engagement with the teeth of the ratchet wheel 36, but

This connection is effected` either of these lugs may be moved into engagement with such teeth for motor drive connection by reciprocating the pawl 4| in appropriate direction about its pivotal support 40. The pawl is maintained normally in a neutral position by a link 49 having its upper end pivotally connected at 50 to the forward end of the pawl 4| and pivotally connected at its lower end to an arm 5| rigidly secured to arock shaft 52, the purpose of which will be described more fully hereinafter.

Assuming that the feed rolls |2 and I3 are engaged with the platen, they may be moved away from the platen by depressing the feed roll key 36, thereby effecting power drive engagement between the ratchet wheel 36 and the pawl 4|. Specifically, the key 30 is carried by an arm 53 fixed to the rock shaft 52 which is suitably journaled in the typewriter frame. The arm 53 is constantly urged upwardly by a spring 54 connected to its upper edge and to a convenient part of the machine. The key 3|) is located adjacent one side of the keyboard of the machine, and it is to be understood that a similar key and supporting arm may be located on the opposite side of the machine vso that the rock shaft 52 may be actuated similarly from either vside* of the machine. The rock shaft 52 is connected .to the pawl 4| by the arm 5| and link 49 as above def scribed.

In the use of the foregoing structure, assuming that the feed rolls I2, I3 are engaged with the platen (Fig. 1), depression of the feed roll key 30' rotates the cross-shaft 52 and arm 5| in a clockwise direction, thereby moving the pawl 4|, through the link 49, upwardly or counterclockwise to engage the lower pawl lug 45 with the ratchet wheel 36. Movement of the pawl 4| vertically beyond its initially-engaged ratchet connection is limited by the arm 5| striking a xed stop member 55. Wherefore, as the pawl 4| and ratchet 36 are engaged, with the ratchet rotating in a clockwise direction, the pawl 4| is shifted rearwardly and the lever 31 and its arm 39 are rotated in clockwise direction. In this movement, the arm 39 engages and moves the cross-shafts 23 and 2| in a clockwise direction, thereby moving the feed rolls I2, I3 away from the platen.

As the pawl 4| is moved rearwardly, shifting the lower end of the lever 31 clockwise, the detent 48 is moved from its rear notch 46 (Fig. 1) into its forward notch 41 (Fig. 2) and, in that position, the feed rolls are in their fully-released condition. The detent 48 holds the feed rolls in this released position so long as the key 30 remains depressed, the pawl 4| and ratchet wheel 36 having been disconnected in the meantime. More particularly, the pawl lug 45 is so positioned with respect to the teeth of the ratchet 36 by the arm 5I engaging the stop 55 that, upon engagement of the pawl withthe ratchet, the pawl can move only in a rearward direction, and this movement is continued until the pawl 4| is fully disengaged from the ratchet 36 and the continued rotation of such wheel does not affect the position of the parts. As the pawl 4I is moved rearwardly, and just as it passes out of engagement with the teeth of the ratchet 36, which is approximately at the time the detent 48 is passing from the notch 46 into the notch 41, the detent passes fully into the notch 41, thereby insuring movement of the pawl 4I to a fully disengaged position, which is retained as long as the key 30 remains depressed.

The feed roll key 36 may be held depressed by the nger of the operator or, if desired, a latch key 56 (Fig. 2) pivotally carried by the arm 53 may be employed for this purpose. This latch key 56 is of 'a form having la hook-like portion 51 adapted, upon depression of the key, to engage a stop member 58 which retains the parts in depressed condition until the latch key 56 is again depressed, at which time it will be returned to its normalv position by a spring 59. As the latch key 56 is released, the spring 54 will return the arm 53 to its raised or normalposition of Fig.- 1.

In returning the feed rolls 2, I3 to their platen-engaged position, upon release of the platen key 30, the shaft 52 and arm 5| are rotated under the influence of spring 54 in a counterclockwise direction, thereby moving the pawl 4| downwardly to engage its upper lug 44 with the ratchet 36. movement of arm 5| is limited to the desired pawl-and-ratchet engaging extent by a suitably mounted stop plate 60 (Fig. 2), which serves the same purpose as the stop 55. As the pawl 4| and ratchet are engaged, the pawl 4| is shifted forvwardlyl and the lever 31 is rotated in counterclockwise direction, permitting the shafts 23 and 2| to rotate in counterclockwise direction under the influence of the feed roll springs 24 to move the feed rolls into engagement with the platen. The drive engagement between the pawl l4| and ratchet wheel 36 is of momentary duration, as explained in connection with the movement of the feed rolls away from Athe platen. That is to say, at the beginning of this operation, the detent 48 is in its forward notch 41 (Fig. 2) and, at about the time the ratchet wheel 4| is moving out of engagement with the pawl lug 44, the forward mo'vement of the pawl 4| shifts the detent 48 into its notch A46. As the detent moves fully into its notch 46 (Fig. 1), the pawl and ratchet wheel are held in disengaged relation and the A connections are held in position to permit the full and desired engagement of the feed rolls with the platen. 'I'he parts are held in this position until thekey 30 is again depressed.

It may be desirable, in certain instances, to provide means adjacent the platen for controlling the operation of the feed rolls to enable the operator to more'readily apply, remove or adjust the paper relative to the platen. One form of structure for accomplishing this feature of my invention is shown in the drawings. Such structure includes across-shaft (Fig. 1)" having its opposite ends supported by arms 1|V and 12 rotatably supported at 13 and 14, respectively, by the carriage C. lThe arm 1| is provided with an upward extension 15 having a finger-piece 15a which may be readily grasped by the operator for moving the arm 1| back and forth.

The cross-shaft 10 is operatively connected with the pawl 4| through a crank member 16 pivotally carried by the pivotal's'upport 38 for the upper end of arm 31. .The crank member 16 is provided with a forked arm 11 slidably embracing the shaft 10 and another arm 18 pivotally connected, at 19, tov the upper end of a link 60. 'I'he lower end of link 8|) is pivotally connected, Vat 8l, to a rear end portion of the pawl 4| rearwardly of the pivotal connection between the lever 31 and pawl 4|.

In use, as the upper end of the arm 1| is moved forwardly and the shaft 10 is swung in a lclockwise direction, the crank member 16 is moved in a counterclockwise direction, thereby actuating the pawl 4| through the link 80 to engage the lower pawl lug 45 with the ratchet 36 and move Downward or counterclockwise` the feed rolls I2, I3 away. from the'platen in the same manner as when the key 30 is depressed. The feed rolls will remain in this released position so long as the finger-piece 15aL is held in its forward or clockwise position by the loperators hand or by actuating the latch key 56 to hold the key 30 depressed. As soon as the finger-piece 15B is released, the power means will again be connected to return the feed rolls to their platenengaged position. The 1nger-piece-15'and shaft 1 0 are directly connected with the feed roll key 30 through the pawl 4| so that, when the fingerpiece 15 is actuated to release the feed rolls, the key'30 is depressed, and it remains in that condition so long as the finger-piece is held in its forward position. However, when such flngerpiece is` released, the spring 54 acting on the feed roll key arm 53 will move the arm 53, shaft 5.2, arm `5| and pawl 4|, as hereinabove explained, to engage the upper pawl lug 44 with the ratchet 36, whereupon the several parts are moved to their platen-engaged positions in the same manner as when the key 30 is released. In the particular form shown, due to the direct connections between the key 30 and arm 1|, the latter is actuated each time the key 30 is depressed and released, and vice versa. It will be seen, how-` ever, that either the key 3l) or the finger-piece 15a and associated parts may be dispensed with, and the remaining control elements may be relied upon to effect the operation described.

It will be understood that, while only one form of structure embodying the invention has been ,shown and described, other changes in details and arrangements of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and.soope of the invention as defined by the claims that follow.

I claim:

1. In a typewriter, a platen, feed rolls movable toward and from the platen, power means, mechanism` operatively engaged with said feed rolls for moving the latter toward and from said platen,

and means operable at will for connecting said power means to said mechanism for actuating the latter to move said feed rolls away from and toward said platen.

2. In a typewriter, a platen, feed rolls movable toward and from the platen, power means, mech-y .for moving the latter toward and from said platen, means for operatively connecting said power means to said mechanism for actuating the latter to move vsaid Afeed rolls away from and toward said platen, said mechanism including means for disengaging it from said power means upon movement of said feed rolls to a predetermined position either away from or toward said platen.

4. In a typewriter, a platen, feed rollsmovable toward and from the platen, power means, mechanism operatively engaged with said feed rolls forvmoving the latter toward and from said platen, means for operatively connecting said power means to said mechanism for actuating the latter to move said feed rolls away from said platen and also toward said platen, and means included in said mechanism and actuated by said power means for disconnecting said power means upon movement by said feed rolls to a predetermined extent away from said platen, said means also serving to disconnect said power means upon movement of said feed rolls to a predetermined extent toward said platen.

5. InA a typewriter, a platen, feed rolls normally engaged with said platen, means for moving said feed rolls away from said platen to a feed-roll-released position, and for returning said feed rolls to a platen-engaged position, power means, means for connecting said power means to said feed roll moving means toA actuate the latter when it is desired to move said feed rolls to their feed-roll-released position and also to their platen-'engaged position, and means for automatically disconnecting said power means from said moving means upon movement of said feed rolls to either of their positions.

6. In a typewriter, a platen, feed rolls normally engaged with said platen, means for moving said feed rolls away from said platen to a feed-rollreleased position and for returning said feed rolls to a platen-engaged position, power means, means for connecting said power means to' said feed roll moving means to actuate the latter when it is desired to move said feed rolls to their feedroll-released position and also to their platenengaged position, means for automatically disconnecting said power means from said moving means upon movement of said feed rolls to either of their positions, and means for holding said moving means at rest and-disengaged from said power means after the disconnection of said power means.

'7. In a typewriter, a platen, feed rolls normally engaged with said platen and movable to a feedroll-released position., mechanism adapted to be4 actuated for movement of said feed rolls to their feed-roll-released position and back to their platen-engaged position, including a member shiftable to effect said movements, power means' including a driven member, and means for connecting said shiftable member to said driven member to effect said feed roll movements.

engaged with said platen andmovable to a feedroll-released position, mechanism adapted tov be actuated for movement of said feed rolls to their feed-roll-released position and back to their platen-engaged position, including a member shiftable to effect said movements, power means including a driven member, means for connecting said shiftable member to said driven member for a predetermined time for effecting said feed roll movements after which said members are disconnected, and means for holding said shiftable member disengaged from said driven member and said mechanism at rest after said feed roll movements have been effected.

9. In a, typewriter, a platen, feed rolls, power means, connections between said power means and feed rolls normally disengaged, means for Aengaging said power means with said connections to move said feed rolls toward \and from said platen, means for disengaging said power means and connections upon a predetermined movement in either direction, and means for holding said connections at rest when said power means is disconnected.

10. In a typewriter, a platen, feed rolls, power means, means for connecting said power means matassa to said feed rolls for moving the latter both away from and toward said platen, including a member shiftable to engage said power means and shiftable by said power means to move said feed rolls in both directions, and means for shifting said member to engage said power means.

11. In a typewriter, a platen, feed rolls, power means, means for connecting said power means to said feed rolls for moving the latter both away from and toward said platen, including a member shiftable to engage said power means and shiftable by said power means to move said feed `rolls in both directions, means for shifting said member to engage said power means, the arrangement being such that said member is disconnected `from said power means upon a predetermined feed roll shift movement thereof, and means for holding said member in a neutral position after its disengagement from said power means and until said member is again shifted to engage said power means.

l2. In a typewriter, a platen, feed rolls, a support for said feed rolls rockable for movement of the latter away from and toward said platen, power means including a drive member, connections between said drive member and said support including a lever rotatable to rock said support, a drive connector between said lever and said drive member, and means for engaging said connector with said drive member for rocking said lever to rock said support.

13. In a typewriter, a platen, feed rolls, means constantly urging said feed rolls toward said platen, a rock shaft supporting said feed rolls for movement toward and from said platen, power means including a rotatable drive member, mechanism for rocking said shaft including a rotatable lever and a shift member pivotally supported by said lever and engageable with said drive member, and manually operated means for shifting said shift member in one direction to engage said drive member for rotating vsaid lever in a direction for moving said feed rolls away from said platen, said latter means also being adapted to shift said shift member in an opposite direction to engage said drive member for permitting movement of said feed rolls toward said platen under the influence ofy said urging means.

8. In a typewriter, a platen, feed rolls normally 14. In a typewriter, a platen, feed rolls, means constantly urging said feed rolls toward said ber, manually operated means for shifting said shift member in one direction to engage said drive member for rotating said lever in a direction for moving said feed rolls away from said platen, said latter means also being adapted to shift said shift member in an opposite direction to engage said drive member for permitting movement of said feed rolls toward said platen under the influence of said urging means, said shift member being shiftableby said drive member to disengage said shift member from said drive member, and means for holding said lever, shift member and associated parts in a neutral position upon disengagement thereof by and with said drive member.

15. In a typewriter, a platen, feed rolls, a member rockable to move said rolls away from and toward said platen, power means including a rotatable drive member, connections between said drive member and said rock member including a lever rotatable for rocking said rock member and a drive engaging member rotatably carried by said lever for shift movement relative to said drive member, and means for shifting said drive engaging member to engage said drive member for shift movement of the former to rotate said lever and--move said rolls away from said platen, said means including a depressible key which upon being released after depression engages said drive engaging and drive members for movement of lever to return said rolls toward said platen.

16. In a typewriter, a platen, feed rollsa member rockabl'eto move said rolls away from and toward said platen, power means including a rotatable drive member, connections between saidv drive member and said rock member including a lever rotatable for rocking said rock memberand a driveengaging member rotatably carried by said lever for shift movement relative tosaid drive member, means for shifting said drive en-4 gaging member to engage said drive member for shift-movement of the former to rotate said lever and move said rolls away from said platen, said means including a depressiblekey which upon being released after depression engages said drive engaging and drive members for movement of lever to return said rolls toward said platen, means controlling the power shift movement of said drive engaging member in such a way that the latter is disconnected from said drive member upon a predetermined movement of said rolls, and means engaging and releasably holding said lever and drive'engaging member in a neutral position upon said disconnection of said members.

17. In a typewriter, a platen, feed rolls, a rock shaft supporting said rolls for movement away from and toward said platen, power means in.

cluding a rotatable drivemember, connections between said drive member and rock shaft including a rotatable lever, means by which rotation of said lever rocks said rock shaft, a doublearmed pawl'pivotally carried by said lever, and means for connecting said pawl .to said drive member including a manually operated key member and connections between the latter and said pawl whereby movement of said key member in one direction engages one of the arms of said pawl with said drive member to shift said pawl member and lever to move said rolls away from said platen, and vice versa, when said key member is moved in the opposite direction and engages -the .other arm of said pawl.

18. In a typewriter, a platen, feed rolls, a rock shaft supporting said rolls for movement away from and toward said platen, power means including a rotatable drive member, connections between said drile member and rock shaft including a rotatable levr, means by which rotation of said leverrocks said rock shaft, a doublearmed pawl pivotally carried by saidlever, means for connecting said pawl to said drive member including a manually operated key member and connections between lthe latter and said pawl Vwhereby movement of said key member in one direction engages one arm of said pawl with said drive member to shift said pawl member and lever to move said rolls away from said platen,`

and vice versa, when said key member is moved in the opposite direction and engages the other arm of said pawl, and means for automatically disengaging said drive member and pawl member upon movement of said rolls a predetermined extent in either direction.

19. In a typewriter, a platen, feed rolls, means for supporting said rolls for movement away from movement of said rolls away from and toward said platen, and another manually operated member connected with said shiftable member for said power shift movements of said rolls independently of manual depression of said key member.

20. In a typewriter, a platen, feed rolls, means for supporting said rolls for movement away from and toward said platen, power means including a drive member, connections between said power`l means and roll support including a membershift able to engage said drive member tomove said roll support and rolls, a manually operable key connected with-ysaid member for shifting it to engage said drive member when such key is either depressed or released after depression for power movement of said rolls away from and toward said platen, another manually operated member connected with said shiftable member for said power shift movements of said rolls independently, of manual depression of said key member, and means for automatically disconnecting said shiftable and drive members after actuation of either of said manually operated members and upon movement of said rolls to a predetermined extent away from or toward said platen.

21. In a typewriter, 'a case-shiftable platen mounted for rotational, longitudinal and caseshift movements only, feed rolls movable toward and from the platen, power means, mechanism operatively engaged with said feed rolls for moving the latter toward and from said platen in any of the positions to which it may be moved, and means operable at will for connecting said -power means to said mechanism for actuating the platen, said mechanism including connectionsh adapted to be engaged with said power means for moving said feed rolls toward said platen.

RAYMOND G. BOWER. 1 

